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Sometimes we just need to shut up...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty

Sometimes we just need to shut up

By Darrin Friedman

(An open letter)

 

Dear REALTOR:


Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 20 hours, President Obama gave his State of Health Care speech last night, and unless you are a corpse you most likely have an opinion about the subject, and the opinion surrounding the heckle from a congressman from South Carloina.

It seems people, regardless of background and profession, seem are all heated up and any criticism of public apathy in regard to politics seems like the long forgotten distant past.  So, when I turned off the TV last night and checked Facebook and Twitter for the last time before bed, I was amazed at the very honest and raw feelings of my friends that make up real estate community in which we participate.  

It's not that I was surtprised tht pepple were pissed.  I expected it.  I mean regardless of sides, people are hot.  On the other hand my surprise was that people were be so "raw", so angry, in such a public forum; a forum we all use for personal marketing and sphere outreach.

It just shocked me.

Now, maybe I'm being too cautious, but when I use these platforms I try to remember that what I say is out there for ever.  I try to remember that being in sales is about being a chameleon and that alienating anyone is at best unwise.

I know what you're thinking..."Darrin, how can you be so cold?"  "Don't you care?"

Sure.  I care like everyone else cares.  I'm passionate about my beliefs just as you.  The point is I don't tell half the online world what they are.

Why?  Because someone out there is going to want to buy a house and maybe he doesn't think the way I think - and you know what? I still want to sell that guy a house!  What it comes down to is socail media is a wonderful vehicle to meet people you otherwise would not have met, and to develop relationships that matter - but until you know each other better, sometimes, you just need to shut up!

 

Anyway, happy fall market!


Sincerely,


Darrin 

 

 

 









 

Posted by


Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

It's a cruel world, but as you point out, a comment made on any public forum is there for ever and for everyone to see. One aw sh-- wipes out a whole lot of atta boys, and the consumer is not likely to want a moaner or groaner to represent them.

Sep 10, 2009 08:35 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

You are so so right! We have lost the ability to be civil with each other also and respect differing opinions - instead, everyone rushes to memorialize their gripes - and now in the worst and public way!

Sep 10, 2009 11:51 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Darrin, the shoe bomber got out of his Iraqi slammer cell today - and is being treated like a local hero.  We should be better than that.

Sep 15, 2009 12:59 PM
James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes
Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC
When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move

There is a fine line and yes; its easy to broadcast your feelings and guess what - this country is about 50/50 on a whole bunch of subjects - its wise to be careful.

Sep 15, 2009 02:36 PM
Heather Adkinson
Windermere K-2 Realty LLC www.propertiesinmoseslake.com - Moses Lake, WA
Real Estate Agent - Moses Lake

Exactly!  The last thing I want is someone finding me online and deciding they don't want to work with me because of my political beliefs!  I try and be very careful about what is put out there.

Sep 26, 2009 02:07 PM